Three-dimensional simulating of concentrator photovoltaic modules using ray trace and equivalent circuit simulators

A 3-dimensional (3D) simulation for a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module using a triple-junction solar cell was developed. By connecting ray-trace simulation for an optics model and 3D equivalent circuit simulation for a triple-junction solar cell, the operating characteristics of a CPV module were calculated. By using the 3D simulation, we considered the influence of tracking error on the CPV module. It was found that maximum output power was not correlated with optical efficiency of the optics system and was strongly dependent on fill factor. We can use this total 3D simulation for the evaluation and optimization of CPV modules. 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved